Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. They cover what Part A and Part B cover, and most include drug coverage. Most use a network of doctors and hospitals, so checking yours comes first.
How a Medicare Advantage plan works
You still have Medicare, but the plan pays for your care instead of Original Medicare. You usually keep paying your Part B premium.
Each plan sets its own copays, network, and yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket. Some include extras Original Medicare does not, such as some vision, hearing, or dental benefits.
What to check before you choose
These details differ from plan to plan, and they decide whether a plan fits you:
- Are your doctors, specialists, and hospitals in the network?
- Are your medicines on the plan's drug list, and at what cost?
- Is your pharmacy in the network?
- What is the yearly out-of-pocket limit?
- Do you need a referral to see a specialist?
When you can join or change
You can join when you first get Medicare. After that, Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and changes start January 1.
If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also switch plans or go back to Original Medicare from January 1 to March 31.
Medicare Advantage or a Supplement?
A Medicare Supplement works only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage. If you want to compare both paths, start with your doctors, medicines, travel needs, and budget.
For a side-by-side explanation, read the Medicare Advantage vs Medigap guide on this site before you book.
How SRS helps
A licensed insurance agent at Senior Retirement Solutions starts with your doctors, medicines, and budget, then walks through the plans available where you live. You are never asked to decide on the first call.
Common questions
Can I have a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicare Supplement?
No. Medicare Supplement policies only work with Original Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan, a Supplement will not pay toward your costs.
Do I still pay my Part B premium?
In most cases, yes. Some plans help with part of it, so ask about that when you compare plans.